Saturday, January 21, 2012

Interview: Daniel Raymont Talks Buzzkill and Smash | Shockya.com

Read Shockya.com's exclusive interview with actor Daniel Raymont, who plays struggling writer Ray Wyatt in the new comedy ‘Buzzkill.’ The film, which was directed and co-written by Steven Kampmann, follows Ray as he becomes upset that his girlfriend, Sara (played by Reiko Aylesworth), wants him to grow up; his landlord wants him to pay his rent; and his girl on the side, Nicole (portrayed by Krysten Ritter), wants him to loosen up. Deciding that he’s finished with life, he hits the road.

Ray’s life changes when he meets the notorious serial killer known as the “Karaoke Killer” (played by Darrell Hammond). After stealing Ray’s car and manuscript, the Karaoke Killer begins quoting his work. As Ray begins to obtain fame and fortune, he suddenly disappears.

Raymont discusses with us, among other things, what convinced him to take on the role of Ray, and what it was like working with Kampmann and his co-stars. The actor also reveals details about his upcoming guest appearance on the NBC musical comedy-drama series ‘Smash.’

Written by: Karen Benardello

ShockYa (SY): In ‘Buzzkill,’ you play lead character Ray Wyatt. What was it about the script and Ray that convinced you to appear in the movie?

Daniel Raymont (DR): Well, I was interested in the story about the writer who wanted to stay true to his own dreams without compromising. I thought it was a well-written story-that’s one of the first things that appealed to me.

I felt very privileged to be part of such a special cast, also. When I saw who else was cast in the movie, I did some research on the director, Steven Kampmann. (I was drawn to the fillm) between the story, the cast and the director, with his experience. I really liked the fact also that in addition to having a film background, he’s also a professor. He teaches screenwriting, so he has an interesting background, and that made for an interesting experience making a movie.

SY: Speaking of Steven, ‘Buzzkill’ is his second directorial effort, after the 1988 drama ‘Stealing Home.’ What was it like working with him?

DR: He was great. He felt like a kindred spirit. He was very funny, very receptive to adjusting and changing the scene a little bit. He was a lot of fun to work with, and funny.

Sometimes when you work with a director who has acting experience, or has done acting (like Kampmann has), it can be very nice. They know what it’s like being in front of the camera. So the experience can be very smooth.

SY: Since Steven also co-wrote the screenplay for ‘Buzzkill’ (with Matt Smollon), did that make it easier for you to work with him as a director?

DR: Yes, because we met several times beforehand. Before I said yes to the movie, we wanted to meet. I think it’s important because if you’re going to spend a month-and-a-half, 16-hour days with the same person, that you’re going to like them. You want to make sure that you understand each other and speak the same language.

I think because he wrote ‘Buzzkill,’ it wasn’t just a job for him. This was something that he had been working on. He had a co-writer, and they were both present on the set all the time. It’s nice, it’s a privilege to have the writer on the set.

Sometimes if you’re making a painting, and you have all the colors, but you’re missing a color, it’s not a complete painting. I think having the writer there is very nice, because you can fit in the last color to fill in the beautiful painting.